Pneumatic control device



563ml] KOOI June 6, 1944. F. D. JcEs'nNG PNEUMAMC CONTROL DEVICE Filed June l0, 1942 Seatct toom tierces. narratif Patented June 6, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE PNEUMATIC CONTROL DEVICE Frederick D. Joestng, Oak Park, Ill., assgnor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application June 10, 1942, Serial No. 446,462

15 Claims.

vacuum as the controlling medium. the position of this diaphragm determines It is an object of this invention to provide a whether pressure is admitted to the pneumatic pressure actuated valve assembly for a fluid presmotor or exhausted therefrom. When the force sure controller which is sensitive in operation and on the diaphragm due to branch line pressure which may be adjusted readily after assembly. and the opposing force due to the actual motor It is a further object of the invention to proposition are in balance, both the supply and exvide such a device which may be constructed haust valves of the relay are closed, which means relatively inexpensively and which may form the that the proper pressure has been supplied to basis for several devices which may be used for the motor to obtain the position required for various control functions. this branch line pressure. Thus, the motor posi- A more specific object of the invention is to l5 tion depends only on branch line pressure and provide a pressure-actuated control device in which a pair of valves are actuated by movements of a diaphragm with a novel provision for adjusting the relative positions of the diaphragm at which each valve is actuated.

A further object is to provide such a device which is adapted to act to assure a definite motor position for each value of a control pressure.

Other objects will be apparent from this speciflcation, including the annexed claims taken t0- gether with the drawing, in which Figure l shows an embodiment of the present invention incorporated in an air-conditioning system.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention as applied to a positive positioning device, or pneumatic-mechanical relay, and

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View of the same device, the section being taken in a plane indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Devices which perform the function accomplished by the device of the present invention are Well known in the art, as illustrated by the patent to Stanley W. Nickells, No. 2,280,345.

Pneumatic relays employing a pairv of spaced diaphragms which actuate inlet and exhaust valves are also well known, as illustrated in my copending application, Serial No. 282,635, filed July 3, 1939, now United States Patent No. 2,286,282; issued June 16, 1942. The device to be described is, in some respects, similar to those described in the last mentioned application, and features of this invention may be employed to perform all the functions therein described, but the present device is simpler in construction and more economical to build.

The illustrative embodiment of the invention is a pneumatic relay adapted to accurately position a, pneumatic motor in accordance with a variable control pressure which may be supplied from the branch line of a pneumatic thermostat. Branch line pressure is impressed on a diaphragm and this pressure is counter-balanced by a force depending on the actual position of the motor:

is independent of the force necessary to position the device being controlled.

Figure l of the drawing showsa device of this type incorporated in an air-conditioning system. Cool air is supplied to a space I0 from some suitable source through a duct II. A damper I2 controls the flow of cool air from the duct II. A pneumatic damper motor I4 positions the damper I2 through an arm I5 which is pivoted at I6. Damper by means of motor I4 comprises a bellows I'I acting on a pressure plate I8 to position the arm I5 by means of a rod I9. Expansion of the bellows Ilis opposed by a spring 20 which tends to rotate the arm I5 in a counter-clockwise direction. If there is no resistance to movement of the arm I5, the position of the arm will depend on and be proportional to the ratio of the pressure within the bellows I'I to the pressure of the circumambient atmosphere.

Compressed air at some suitable pressure such as I5 pounds is supplied through a pipe or line 22. Air passes from the supply line 22 through a restriction 23 to a branch line 24, and the pressure in the branch line 24 is varied by a space thermostat 26 in a manner well known in the art. As the space temperature increases, a bimetallic element 2l moves a flapper valve 28 in a counterclockwise direction to approach a nozzle 29 located Iat the end of the branch line 2.4.v This action reduces the amount of air flowing out of the nozzle 29 and air then iiows through the restriction'23 in a volume sufficient to raise the pressure in the branch line 24. Similarly, as the temperature of the thermostat 26 is reduced, the ilapper valve 28 is Withdrawn from the nozzle 29 and the pressure is reduced within the branch line 24.

It is desirable that the motor I4 position the damper I2 to a particular position for each value of temperature at the thermostat 26, and in accordance with my invention, a relay 32 is interposed between the branch line 24 and the line 33 leading to the bellows I1. In addition to the pneumatic connections between the relay 32 and the lines 24 and 33, there is provided a mechanical follow-up connection between the relay 32 and the motor I4, which engages the pressure plate I8 of the motor I4. The construction of the relay 32, together with its operation, will be more clearly brought out in connection with Figures 2 and 3.

The positive positioning relay 32 referred to in connection with Figure 1 is shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3. A hollow base member 35 has its two open ends covered by diaphragms 36 and 31, of equal area, to form a chamber 38. vThe base member is provided with a screw threaded connection 39 by which the chamber 38 may be connected to the line 33 leading to the bellows I1 of the motor I4. A cap 48 is secured to the base member 35 by means of screws 4|. The cap 48, together with the screws 4I, serves t0 clamp the diaphragm 36 to the base member 35. Likewise, the lower diaphragm 31 is clamped to the base member 35 by means of a cap 43 which is secured to the base member 35 by means of screws 44. The screws 44 also serve to secure a bracket member 45 to the base member 35 and the lower cap 43. 'I'he bracket 45 serves as a support for the device and is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 46 by means of which it may be secured to a motor unit. The upper cap 40 is provided with a screw-threaded connection by means of which it may be connected to the thermostat branch line 24 or to any other source of control pressure. The cap 40 is constructed to form a chamber 48 above the diaphragm 36 so that branch line pressure may be impressed on the diaphragm 36.

The interior of the base member 35 is so formed as to provide a pair of oppositely disposed ports which take the form of a supply nozzle 50 and a waste nozzle The waste nozzle 5| is in communication with the exterior of the base member 35 through a bore 52, while the supply nozzle 58 is in communication with a screw-threaded connection 53 in the basemember 35 through a bore 54. The connection 53 serves to connect the device to the pressure supply line 22. A pair of apper valves 56 and 51 are pivotally supported within the interior of the base member 35 on the pins 58 and 59 respectively. A tension spring 68 interconnects the two flapper valves 56 and 51 and serves normally to keep the flapper valve 56 in engagement with the nozzle 58 and to keep the `ilapper valve 51 in engagement with the nozzle 5I. The spring 68 is very light and its tension isjust suicient to hold the parts in their proper position no matter at what angle the device s mounted.

A member 62 has a portion which extends through the upper diaphragm 36 and is secured to a washer 63 on the reverse side thereof. Likewise, a member 64 has a portion which extends through the lower diaphragm 31 and is secured to a washer 65 on the reverse side of that diaphragm. The member 62 is screw threaded internally and carries therein a member 61 which passes through an opening 68 in the flapper valve 51. The member 61 is provided below the flapper valve 51 with an abutment 69, which is adapted to engage the flapper valve 51 to lift it from the nozzle 5I. The member 64, which is supported by the lower diaphragm 31, carries an upwardly extending rod 18 on which is mounted an abutment 1| which is adapted to engage the flapper valve 56 to move it away from the nozzle 50 when the rod 10 is lowered. The abutment 69 on the member 61 is screw-threaded internally to receive the upper end of the rod 18, which is externally screw-threaded. It will be evident that when the member 61 is rotated with respect to the rod 18 the distance between the abutments 69 and 1I will be varied. It is desirable that the two flapper valves should positively close the ports in the nozzles 58 and 5I when in neutral position. Likewise, it is desirable that a very slight movement of the diaphragms 36 and 31 in either direction should cause opening of the proper port. In order to accomplish this purpose, it is necessary to be able to adjust the position of the diaphragm at which the supply port is open relative to the position of the diaphragm at which the waste port is open. Furthermore, it is necessary that this adjustment be capable of accomplishment after the device is completely assembled, otherwise accurate adjustment will not be possible, and further, it may be desirable to change this adjustment to meet various conditions of operation. In order to perform the above-mentioned adjustments of the present device, a suitable instrument is inserted through the screw-threaded connection in the upper part of the cap 40, and through the member 62 to engage the upper end of the member 61. A screw 14 is inserted in the upper end of the opening through the member 62 to seal that opening against the passage of air after the above-mentioned adjustment has been made.

The mechanical follow-up connection between the relay 32 and the motor I1 which is being controlled, includes a lever 16 which is pivoted in the bracket 45 at 11 and 18. The lever 16 engages a button 19 which' extends downwardly from the member 64. A tension spring 8| is supported from the upper cap 48 on a member 82 and a screw 84. The screw 84 passes through a spring supporting nut 85 so that rotation of the screw 84 will provide an adjustment of the tension of the spring 8|. The lower end of spring 8| engages the lever 16 and biases it in a" direction to lift the diaphrams 36 and 31 upwardly against the pressure existing in the chamber 48. The purpose of the spring 8| is to provide a starting point adjustment for the relay, or in other words, determines the minimum branch line pressure at which the exhaust port 5I will be closed and the supply port 58 open. This pressure will depend on the requirements of the system in which the device and the motor are used.

A second lever 81 is pivoted in the bracket 45 at 88 and 89. A screw 98 extends between the lever 81 and lever 16 and serves as a force transmitting means therebetween. The screw 90 is adjustable in a longitudinal slot in the lever 81.

When the screw 98 is tightened in a nut 9| which rests on the upper surface of lever 81, the nut 9| is drawn downwardly to hold the screw 98 in any adjusted position. By positioning the screw 1 98 at various positions in the slot in lever 81, 1 various leverages between the lever 81 and the l lever 16 may be obtained.

A tension spring 93 engages the right hand end of the lever 81 and is adapted to urge it in a counter-clockwise direction to exert an upward force on the diaphragms 36 and 31. The upper end of the spring 93 is positioned by a member 94 which is guided for vertical movement in a longitudinal slot so that the relation betweenl the member 94 and the member 99 maybe `varied by rst loosening the screws 91. Figure 1, the member 99 engages the pressure plate I8 of the motor I4 and its position is therefore Varied as the bellows I1 of the motor ex; pands and contracts. The member 99 is guided in the bracket 45 for vertical movement with -respect thereto, as seen in Figure 3. It will be seen,

therefore, that as the position o! the motor is varied, tension of the spring 93 is varied through the members 99 and 94. As these members are' raised, the tension of the spring93 Vwill-be increased and consequently, the lever "81' wil-1 be urged in a counter-clockwise direction, 'the lever 4' 16 urged in a clockwise direction, and there will be a force tending to raise the y'diaphra gxn's 35 and 31. j It will be seen that when the screw 99"`is adjusted toward the left of the lever l81 that 'the spring 93 will have an increased leverage on the diaphragms 3B and 31 and that only arelai" tively small movement of the members-99 and j 94 will be necessary to produce a 'given change i in the upward force upon the diaphragms 35 and 31. Likewise, if the screw 90 is moved toward 'l the right-hand end of the slot in lever 81,29." larger movement of the motor will be necessary f in order to eiect a given change in th upward force of the diaphragms 36arid 31. This yad# 'justment, together with the starting point adjustment previously described, serve to va'dai'it the device to the particular. application to which it is put.

It should be pointed out that, althoughv a diffv ferent pressure may exist in the, chamber 38 than exists in the chamber 48, the position 1of the diaphragms will not be aiected. The pressure within the chamber y38 acts equallyand-in opposite directions upon the :diaphragm fand on the diaphragm 31, which are of the same area, so that its effect is entirely eliminated. This feature permits the pressure Within the chamber 38 to rise and fall without any relation to the control pressure applied to chamber 49 and to the upper side of the diaphragm 36, :and thereby.' position the motor or other'device being con'- trolled regardless of any friction or other forces opposing movement.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Assume that both the suppl'yand 'waste-ports are closed and that a predetermined' pressure exists within the upper chamber 48; 1 Also, assume that the members 99 and 94 are's'o positioned that the spring 93 exerts an upward force on the diaphragm just sufficient to counter balance the eiect of the pressure within thel chamber 48. If the pressure within the 'branch As seen intestet Roem 93, acting through t'he levers 81 and 16, will counter-balance the increased pressure acting on the diaphragm 36, at which time the supply valve will again be closed. If the pressure within the branch line 24 is reduced, the tension on the spring 9 3 will be suicient to raise the two diaphra'gms 4and move the flapper valve 51 away from the bleed nozzle 5I. The pressure within the motor bellows I1 will then pass into the chamber 39 and out the waste port until the motor is moved to a position at which tension of the spring 93 acting through the levers 81 and lffwlll just balance this new value of branch line pressure acting downwardly on the diaphragm-36. At this time the waste valve will againcbe closed. It will be noted that motor position depends only on branch line pressure and-'iis independent, within the values of pressure available, of the force necessary to move the motor tothe required position.

' Air-pointed out heretofore, the invention is not -limited to a device for positively positioning a motor in accordance with branch line pressure, but -mayfbeapplied equally well to other types of relayswell known to the pneumatic control art. Likewise, other modications of the novel features of vmy invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and I am to be limited therefore only by the scope of the appended claims. l "I--claimaas my invention:

1.'In combination, a base member having a chamber therein, a diaphragm covering one end of'said chamber, a plunger in said chamber positioned by said diaphragm, a supply valve in said-chamber, a vent valve in said chamber, a pair of connecting means moved by said plunger fmfactuating said valves selectively, and means accessible through said diaphragm from the remote f-'jside of said diaphragm for relatively adjusting said connecting means.

2 .'In combination, first and second pressure chambers' separated by a diaphragm, said rst chamber being adapted to have a variable control line 24 from the thermostat 26 shouldincrease,l

with?l respect to said valves on movement of said' diaphragm, and means for varying the relative position of said abutments.

3.' -Inl combination, a base member having a chamber therein, a rst substantially flat diaphragm covering one end of the chamber, a second lv"substantially flat diaphragm, covering the other end of said chamber, supply and vent valve means between said diaphragms for controlling thejp'ressure "in the chamber, a plunger carried by saiddiaphragms, connections by which said plungeractuates said vent valve means at-one position of said plunger and actuates said supply.- valve means at another position of saidl plunger, and means accessible through onel of said diaphragms from the remote side of said diaphragm for adjusting said connections todetermine the position of said plunger atwhich saidsupply valve means is actuated relative tothe position of said plunger at which saldlilent valve means is actuated.

4.'I'n combination, a base member having a chamber therein, a diaphragm separating said chamber into first and second portions, said base' member having an opening therethrough for connecting the rst portion of said chamber to a source of variable control pressure,said base member also having openings therethrough for connecting the second portion of said chamber with a source of iiuid under pressure anfl-..Q1',. venting fluid from the second portion. of said chamber and also for connecting. the second portion of said chamber to a device to be controlled,

a plunger in the second portion of..said.cliambe1 positioned by said diaphragm, supply andvent l valves in the second portion of said chamber for controlling the ow of a pressure fluid through the corresponding openings in said base member, a pair of connecting means associated with ,Said

plunger for actuating said valves selectively, and,j i

respective ports, diaphragm means dividing said" chamber into rst and second portions, and

means actuated by said diaphragm means ifor moving said flapper valves out 'of engagement with said ports selectively.

6. In combination, first and secondpressureA chambers separated by a diaphragm, saidrst chamber being adapted to have a variable control pressure applied thereto, inlet and outlet ports in said second chamber, a apper valve for cooperating with said inlet port in controlling the supply of a pressure fluid to said second chamber, a flapper valve for cooperating with said outlet port in controlling the exhaust of fluid from said second chamber, a member positioned by said diaphragm having a pair oir abutments thereon for engaging said apper .Valves for moving saidV Valves in reserve senses -With respect to the corresponding ports on,movement of said diaphragm, and means for varying the relative position of said abutments. @f l 7. In combination, a base member having a chamber therein, a diaphragm covering oneend of said chamber, means within said chamber forming oppositely disposed supply and waste ports, a pair of apper valves pivotally supported on the interior of said chamber for cooperating with said ports in determining the pressure within said chamber, a member Within said chamber adapted to be positioned by said diaphragm, actuating means carried by said member for positioning said flapper valves with respect to said ports, and means accessible through said dia'- phragm from the remote side of said vdiaphragm for relatively adjusting said actuating means.

8. In combination, a base member having a chamber therein, a diaphragm separating -said chamber into first and second portions, said base member having an opening therethrough for connecting the first portion of said chamber to `a source of variable control pressure, means within the second portion forming supply andr waste ports, a pair of fiapper valves pivotally supported on the interior of said chamber for cooperating with said ports in controlling the supply and waste of a pressure fluid, a member within the second portion of said chamber adapted to be positioned by said diaphragm, actuating means carried by said member for positioning said ilapper valves with respect to said ports, and means accessible through the opening in said base member for relatively adjusting said actuating means.

9. In combination, a base member having a chamber therein, a diaphragm separating said chamber into rst and second portions, said base member having an opening therethrough for connecting the rst portion of said chamber to a source of variable control pressure, means Within the second portion forming supply and waste ports, a pair of flapper valves pivotally supported ontheinterior of `said chamber for cooperating with said portsin controlling the supply and waste of a pressure uid, a member within the seconduportion of said chamber adapted to be positioned by said diaphragm, actuating means carried'by said member for positioning said flapperfvalves with respect to said ports, and means accessible on .the side of said diaphragm remote from said member and through the opening in said'base member for relatively adjusting said actuating means," l

10. In combination, a fluid pressure actuated motor having an expansible chamber, means including a pair of spaced diaphragms forming a `control'c'ihamber, a member operatively connecting said diaphragms, pressure inlet and outlet valves for said control chamber adapted to be actuated by movement of said diaphragms, are: silient mechanical connection between said motor and one of said diaphragms, a conduit providing afluid connection between said chambers, and means for impressing a control pressure on the side of one of said diaphragms remote from said chamber, said connection comprising cooperatingsubstantia'lly parallel spaced levers ixedly pivoted at rst opposite ends, resilient means associatedwith each of said levers at the second end thereof, each of said means biasing its associated lever into an operative position, fulcrum means for a rst of said levers between said lever and said one of Asaid diaphragms and adjustable substantially along the line of action of said lever, and fulcrum means for a second of said levers between said rst leverand said second leverman'd adjustable substantially normally to the',.l ine of action of said second lever for adjustin'g the force arm of said second lever acting on said first lever.

,ll. In combination, a iluid pressure actuatedl motor having an expansible chamber, means including a pair of spaced diaphragms forming a control chamber, a member operatively connecting said diaphragms, pressure inlet and outlet valves for said control chamber adapted to be actuated by movement of said diaphragms, a resilient mechanical connection between said motor ,and one of said diaphragms, said mechanical connection comprising cooperating substantially parallel spaced levers xedly pivoted at first oppositef-ends, resilientmeans associated with each of said levers at the vsecond end thereof, each of said `means biasing its associated lever into an .operative position, fulcrum means for a rst of. said levers between said lever and said one of said diaphragms and adjustable substantially along l.the 'lineof action of said lever, and fulcrum means for a second of said levers between said rst lever and said second lever and adjustable substantially normally to the line of action of saidI second lever for adjusting the force arm of said second lever acting on said first lever, a conduit providing a fluid connection between said chambers, and means for impressing a con- Patent ifo., 2,550,615.

.. .hirei trol pressure on the side of one of said diaphragms remote from said control chamber, the remote side of the other of said diaphragms being subject to atmospheric pressure.

12. In combination, a fluid pressure actuated motor having an expansible chamber, means including a pair of spaced diaphragms forming a control chamber, means Within said control chamber forming oppositely disposed supply and waste ports, a pair of apper valves pivotally supported on the interior of said control chamber for cooperating with said ports in determining the pressure within said control chamber, a member Within said control chamber adapted to move with said diaphragms, actuating means carried by said member for positioning said flapper valves with respect to said ports, a resilient mechanical connection between said motor and one of said diaphragms, said connection comprising cooperating substantially parallel spaced levers xedly pivoted at first opposite ends, resilient means associated with each of said levers at the second end thereof, each of said means biasing its associated lever into an operative position, fulcrum means for a first of said levers betweensaid lever and said one of said diaphragms and adjustable substantially along the line of action of said lever, and fulcrum means for a second of said levers between said rst lever and said second lever and adjustable substantially normally to the line of action of said second lever for adjusting the force arm of said second lever acting on said first lever, a conduit providing a fluid connection between said chambers, and means for impressing control pressures on the sides of said diaphragms remote from said control chamber.

13. In combination, a iluid pressure actuated motor having an expansible chamber, means including a pair of spaced diaphragms forming a control chamber, means within said control chamber forming oppositely disposed supply and waste ports, a pair of flapper valves pivotally supported on the interior of said control chamber for cooperating With said ports in determining lthe pressure within said control chamber, a member within said control chamber adapted to move with said diaphragms, actuating means carried by said member for positioning said flapper valves with respect to said ports, means accessible through one of said diaphragms from the remote side of said diaphragm for relatively adjusting said actuating means, a resilient mechanical connection between said motor and one of said dia- Search Room phragms, a conduit providing a lluid connection between said chambers, and means for impressing control pressures on the sides of said diaphragms remote from said control chamber.

14. In a pneumatic control device, in combination, a base member having a chamber therein, oppositely disposed supply and waste ports within said chamber, a pair of ilapper valves pivoted Within said chamber, for cooperating with said ports in controlling the ow of fluid therethrough, resilient means interconnecting said flapper valves and biasing each of said flapper valves into engagement with its associated port, and means formoving said apper valves out of engagement with said ports selectively against the action of said resilient means.

15. In combination, a fluid pressure actuated motor having an expansible chamber, means including a pair of spaced diaphragms forming a control chamber, means Within said control chamber forming oppositely disposed supply and waste ports, a pair of flapper valves pivotally supported on the interior of said control chamber for cooperating with said port in determining the pressure within said control chamber, a member Within said control chamber adapted to move with said diaphragm, actuating means carried by said member for positioning said apper valves with respect to said port, means accessible through one of said diaphragms from the remote side of said diaphragm for relatively adjusting said actuating means, a resilient mechanical connection between said motor and one of said diaphragms, said connection comprising cooperating substantially parallel spaced levers fixedly pivoted at rst opposite ends, resilient means associated with each of said levers at the second end thereof, each of said means biasing its associated Y lever into an operative position, fulcrum means FREDERICK D. JOESTING.

fJune 6, 19ML.

FREDERICK D. JOESTING.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, second column, line 25, strike out thevvvords "bymeans of"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patentl Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of September, A. D. 19141;..

(seal) Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,550,615. :June 6, 19h14..

FREDERICK D JOESTING It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction es follows: Page 1, second column, line 25, strike out thewords "by '.means of"; andV that the said Letters 'Patent should be read with this vcorrection therein that the same' may conform to the record of the case in the Patent- Office, signed and mailed,l this 12th any of september, A. D. 191m.

Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

